Tan Songyun has found herself at the center of mixed reactions over her performance in Against the Current. Some viewers argue that she is no longer convincing in teenage roles, while others believe her youthful, baby-faced appearance fails to convey the life experience of her character. Despite the criticism, the drama has become a major hit, breaking multiple records in both television ratings and popularity scores.
So far, Against the Current has surpassed 33,000 heat points—a metric measuring audience interest, discussion volume, and overall popularity—on Tencent Video, making it one of the platform’s highest-performing dramas of the year.
Tan Songyun’s latest drama has also topped its time slot on CCTV-8, recording impressive average ratings and attracting a large television audience.
Among the criticism surrounding Against the Current on Chinese platforms, Tan Songyun appears to be facing two almost contradictory expectations: she must look young enough to convincingly portray the character during her teenage years, yet mature enough to embody a woman who has endured major hardships and eventually takes charge of a household.
With her petite frame, round face, and naturally youthful appearance, Tan Songyun has long been closely associated with female leads in coming-of-age and school dramas. When she transitioned into a female-led historical drama like Against the Current, doubts about whether she suited the role quickly emerged.
Some viewers believe her youthful face works well during the early part of the story, when her character is still a young woman or living as a servant. However, once the character becomes responsible for managing the household, critics argue that her appearance does not sufficiently reflect the years of hardship she has endured.
At the same time, other viewers have argued that Tan Songyun “no longer looks natural playing a young girl, especially when standing next to younger faces.” One commenter also complained that her manner of speaking still gives the impression of a playful character, despite the role being written as a woman from a well-bred family.
Despite all of this, Against the Current has consistently held the No. 1 position in nationwide ratings during its time slot. Some industry observers believe one of the drama’s biggest strengths lies in placing its heroine in a setting that is simultaneously familiar and dangerous: the very family that once broke off her engagement becomes the household she is forced to serve.
What makes the story compelling is its focus on survival. Viewers become invested in watching how the heroine navigates one difficult situation after another, even if they are not entirely satisfied with the actress portraying her. Moreover, after becoming tired of female leads who repeatedly make irrational decisions, audiences have responded positively to a strong heroine who maintains her principles even when placed in situations where every step feels like walking on thin ice.
The drama’s tightly constructed script is another major advantage. Its conflicts within the family are closely intertwined with political upheaval at the imperial court, meaning that family relationships and romance are constantly confronted with unexpected turning points.
The eventful storytelling is paired with elegant cinematography and restrained production design, further adding to the drama’s appeal.
The supporting characters and villains also have stories of their own. From senior family members to servants within the household, everyone has interests to protect, pain to endure, and reasons behind the choices they make.
As a result, the conflicts have more layers than a simple confrontation between good and evil. Li Meng, Zheng Hehuizi, Guo Keyu, and Niu Junfeng have all received praise for their emotional performances and their ability to give each character a distinctive personality.
The attention given to costumes, traditional etiquette, and architecture has also generated viral discussion on social media. Scenes involving tea ceremonies, the arrangement of household objects, and the design of the family residence help create the impression of a highly structured way of life governed by hierarchy and rules. These details give the story a more tangible setting while also strengthening its visual appeal.
Ultimately, the success of a drama with multiple elements capable of keeping audiences invested does not necessarily depend entirely on whether viewers unanimously approve of its female lead.
Sources: kenh14